Pine Processionary vs Spiny Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pine Processionary | Spiny Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Thaumetopoea pityocampa | Polyrhachis dives |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Notodontidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 36-42 mm wingspan | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East | Southeast Asia, southern China, India |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pine Processionary
A grey moth whose caterpillars march in long nose-to-tail processions between their silk nests and feeding sites. The larvae's urticating hairs cause severe allergic reactions.
Did You Know?
Jean-Henri Fabre once tricked a procession into following itself in a circle for seven days without stopping.
Spiny Ant
A distinctive Asian ant with paired spines on the petiole and propodeum. Workers are metallic dark brown and build nests from silk produced by larvae, similar to weaver ants. Colonies are arboreal and highly territorial.
Did You Know?
They are commonly eaten as a protein-rich food in parts of southern China, where they are harvested from silk nests in trees.